What happened on Sunday, 09 February 2025
Hammond City, Lake County, Indiana
The Hammond City Board of Public Works and Safety on Jan. 30 approved four promotions in the Hammond Fire Department, authorized an INDOT resurfacing agreement and approved multiple property enforcement actions including demolition liens and bond releases.
Davis, Yolo County, California
HCL consultant Susie Woodstock briefed the commission on how the 1% Bradley-Burns local share, the city’s 1% Measure O transaction/use tax, and the countywide online pool distribute sales-tax revenue and how industry mix and fulfillment centers affect Davis receipts.
Town of Stratford, Fairfield, Connecticut
Park superintendent reported completion of 80 rubber tree wells on Barnum Avenue, outlined playground renovation plans constrained by state bid rules and prevailing-wage triggers, and gave a multi‑week Christmas tree pickup schedule.
Hammond City, Lake County, Indiana
The Hammond Board of Public Safety approved a series of routine administrative items on Jan. 23, including a bid award for 28–34 Ruth Street, permits, licenses, CIB actions and multiple status dates for code-enforcement matters.
Sammamish City, King County, Washington
Sammamish City Council members at a Feb. 8 retreat agreed to direct staff to draft an ordinance to implement a utility tax across city utility providers and asked staff to research formation of a Metropolitan Park District as a longer‑term funding option to address a structural shortfall in the city’s general fund.
Greater Clark County Schools, School Boards, Indiana
Treasurer briefed the board on fund monitoring showing an education fund cash balance north of $10.2 million (reflecting a prior $3.7M transfer), projected operations and debt service figures, bond disbursements tied to middle school expenses, and a food service (federally funded) ending balance of about $4.97 million.
Hammond City, Lake County, Indiana
Councilman Warpool asked public works to correct a conflicting sign and pavement markings at a Southeastern corridor intersection; the chair said maintenance work falls to public works and is not a capital improvement item.
Greater Clark County Schools, School Boards, Indiana
A resident, Zach Silverstein, used public comment to urge the board to reconsider including a Christian daycare organization in school activities and said the arrangement could violate separation of church and state if the district provides preferential treatment without compensation.
Michigan City, LaPorte County, Indiana
The commission discussed whether facade‑grant reimbursements should cover work performed back to Oct. 2023 or a two‑year look‑back; commissioners asked staff to draft formal program rules and bring them back for consideration.
Events, School Districts, Florida
Students from Pasco County Schools joined a restoration project at Durney Key to plant mangroves, build oyster domes and collect data for permits needed from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and DEP. Organizers said boats used to reach the key were bought with BP settlement money from the 2010 Gulf oil spill.
Hammond City, Lake County, Indiana
The Board approved Capital Improvement Board allocations to relocate a siren to new Fire Station 2 and to redesign Clark Field storm sewer; contracts and agreements were approved and staff will seek restitution from a prior engineer on one project.
Mercer Island School District, School Districts, Washington
The Mercer Island School District board outlined a long-range facilities plan and announced it will place a $165 million bond proposition before voters; the board appointed named pro and con committee members for the county voters’ pamphlet process.
Mercer Island School District, School Districts, Washington
At a joint school–city meeting, foundation leaders said the Mercer Island Schools Foundation raised record amounts in its fall campaign, awarded 74 teacher grants and is expanding staff and outreach while exploring a facility-naming policy for legacy recognition.
Roswell, Fulton County, Georgia
Roswell Mayor Kirk Wilson announced that Officer Jeremy Labonte, 24, was shot and killed Feb. 7, 2025, while responding to a report; the suspect is in custody. The city has placed a memorial vehicle at police headquarters, set up a volunteer meal program and canceled several meetings and events.
Hammond City, Lake County, Indiana
At its Jan. 21 meeting, the Hammond Capital Improvement Board approved meeting minutes and authorized four funding allocations for a siren relocation, intersection work, storm sewer redesign and downtown station approach design.
Davis, Yolo County, California
The Davis Senior Citizens Commission voted to hold two off‑site meetings in 2025, scheduled for May and October, and discussed outreach targets and logistics for senior‑focused locations and broader community venues.
Greater Clark County Schools, School Boards, Indiana
Architects presented a 54,800‑sq‑ft design for the new middle school (grades 5–8) to house about 950 students with room to add 320–340 later; site access will be right‑in/right‑out on State Road 62 and a secondary rear entrance; district estimates project financing and timelines with construction expected to begin late next fall or early spring.
EL PASO ISD, School Districts, Texas
A recorded El Paso Independent School District message encouraged families to enroll, promoting Montessori and extended-day learning and saying the district “build[s] National Merit Scholars the most in the region.”
Michigan City, LaPorte County, Indiana
At its Feb. 6 meeting the Michigan City Redevelopment Commission approved minutes from Jan. 13 (executive session and regular meeting), a claims docket totaling $1,409,787.21, the 12/31/2024 financial report, commission of four appraisals and a seasonal pop-up permit for a youth entrepreneurship program.
Davis, Yolo County, California
Commissioners reported continued engagement with community members and the city’s investment manager (PFM) to evaluate socially responsible investment (SRI) criteria and possible changes to the City of Davis investment policy; staff will collect additional PFM detail and prepare a memo for the commission.
Davis, Yolo County, California
Paula Colney of HCL presented a detailed review of property-tax mechanics, 20-year trends, and a forecast for the City of Davis showing roughly 3.2–3.5% growth to the general fund in fiscal 2025–26, driven by CPI increases and sales-related value additions.
Greater Clark County Schools, School Boards, Indiana
Staff reported 20.6% of students receive special education services, preschool enrollment near 379 with On My Way pre‑k and tuition options, and roughly 1,370 English‑language learners; the district described staffing shifts, compliance rates and plans to add ELL programs tied to redistricting.
Hammond City, Lake County, Indiana
The Board approved a Capital Improvement Board allocation of $480,250 and an agreement with Lochmuller Group to design the east approach "kiss-and-ride" for the new Downtown Hammond Station; the project is federally funded and scheduled for 2027–28 construction.
Kensington School District, School Districts, New Hampshire
School officials presented a $4,500,298 operating budget and trust‑fund requests at the Kensington School District deliberative session, and voters debated two citizen petitions — a per‑pupil budget cap and an outside financial review — that will appear on the March ballot.
Mercer Island School District, School Districts, Washington
Mercer Island police and school staff described an educational campaign aimed at reducing risky e-bike and e-scooter behavior among middle- and high‑school students, including assemblies, parent outreach and enforcement coordination.
Greater Clark County Schools, School Boards, Indiana
District staff announced a two‑way Spanish dual‑language immersion kindergarten will start at Parkwood Elementary in 2025–26, using an 80/20 model, Spanish curriculum components already in use, and a phased roll‑up by grade each year.
Michigan City, LaPorte County, Indiana
Commissioners gave consensus support to draft a memorandum of understanding committing $95,000 for vector‑control/city crews to manage mowing and caretaking of RDC lots; staff will prepare the formal MOU and bring it back for a March vote.
Hammond City, Lake County, Indiana
The Hammond Board of Public Safety opened three quotes for a Florida Avenue median modification and voted to refer the submissions to the city consultant for review and recommendation.
Village of Hortonville, Outagamie County, Wisconsin
Trustees endorsed the County Hazard Mitigation Plan for 2024–2029, aligning the village with county-wide mitigation priorities and preserving eligibility for federal disaster-recovery funding, the board was told.
Michigan City, LaPorte County, Indiana
Andy Mouser, a consultant with Baker Tilly, gave the Michigan City Redevelopment Commission its annual TIF update on Feb. 6, reporting roughly $7.5 million in combined TIF collections for 2024 and projecting modest growth for 2025.
Davis, Yolo County, California
The commission received an overview of the long‑term care ombudsman program, its resident‑advocacy role, and a plan to expand volunteer activities including a caring callers reassurance pilot and meal delivery drivers.
Town of Stratford, Fairfield, Connecticut
The commission approved the December 2024 minutes unanimously, agreed to hold meetings by Zoom while displaced to the Baldwin Center for renovations, and noted the Morgan Francis property item remains stalled until spring. A motion to adjourn also passed.
Village of Hortonville, Outagamie County, Wisconsin
At its Feb. 6 meeting the Village of Hortonville board approved creation of three new reserve accounts, allocated year-end reserve funds, amended the fee schedule, adopted budget amendments for 2024 and approved payments and a final design for Memorial Square.
Greater Clark County Schools, School Boards, Indiana
District leaders described districtwide emphasis on the science of reading, an eight‑step Data Wise improvement process, teacher‑clarity planning, and ongoing Orton‑Gillingham (IMSE) training for teachers; an Indiana early literacy stipend of $56,969.22 will be distributed with board approval.
Davis, Yolo County, California
The commission appointed a three-member subcommittee to work with staff and the Social Services Commission on program guidelines for a first-time homebuyer down-payment assistance program authorized by a city ordinance; staff said no funding is yet attached and asked for a 60–90 day feedback window.
US Department of State
An unidentified speaker, role not specified, said the president has agreed to accept for deportation any noncitizen in the United States who is a criminal, and announced plans to sign a waiver to expand programs tied to cooperation with the Dominican Republic.
Michigan City, LaPorte County, Indiana
Staff reported utility relocation plans for the Sola solar site and said the developer intends to break ground in May; commissioners also heard that the Eleventh Street Station garage is nearing completion and the residential tower is rising, with a latest completion target of May 1.
Mercer Island School District, School Districts, Washington
City staff presented an eight-project Safe Routes to School program that includes sidewalk and curb work, phased shared-path construction on Huntacrest Way and near-term installation of rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs) at school crossings.
Saint Charles City, St. Charles County, Illinois
A Saint Charles City task force updating its statement-of-interest (SOI) process for potential engineering and environmental services work on the Fox River said it received seven proposals, narrowed the field to three finalists and will solicit brief follow-up responses before recommending a candidate.
Prince George's County Public Schools, School Boards, Maryland
Prince George’s County Public Schools officials warned Feb. 6 that proposed changes in a Maryland Senate bill implementing the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future would reduce the district’s state revenue for fiscal 2026 and delay several programmatic funding streams.
Town of Stratford, Fairfield, Connecticut
Recreation superintendent Amy Noort outlined expanded winter and spring youth programming, summer hiring plans, and clarified that the Ella pool is on state property under lease to the town.
East Lansing, Ingham County, Michigan
The Charter Review Committee approved multiple recommended charter-text changes by voice vote on Feb. 6, including edits to sections 11.6, 11.8, 4.9 and 10.9 and a resolution to make charter references gender neutral.
Davis, Yolo County, California
Agency on Aging Area 4 staff described the Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) as a single point of entry for long‑term supports and introduced Key Connections, a new co‑living program that pairs home providers and seekers to provide affordable rooms and social connection.
East Lansing, Ingham County, Michigan
The committee debated whether written legal opinions from the city attorney should be treated as public records or remain attorney‑client privileged and discussed where formal opinions should be filed (clerk packet) and how disclosures should be handled in practice.
Rockcastle County, School Boards, Kentucky
Rockcastle County held its district spelling bee at Rockcastle County High School; middle- and elementary-school competitors from local schools took part. Winners received plaques made by the high school FFA and cash awards: $50 for middle-school first place, $20 for second, $10 for third; elementary first received $50, second $20, third $10.
East Lansing, Ingham County, Michigan
Andrea Smith, the city’s interim finance director, briefed the Charter Review Committee on the city income tax, explaining that residents pay 1 percent and nonresidents 0.5 percent and that receipts are allocated 60% to pension, 20% to public safety and 20% to infrastructure.
East Lansing, Ingham County, Michigan
Committee members discussed requiring the city manager to live within 25 miles of the city boundary, drafting a local succession list of department heads to act if the manager is unavailable, and whether a formal deputy-city-manager title should require Council approval.
New Hanover County Schools, School Districts, North Carolina
A consultant and Superintendent Dr. Barnes told the New Hanover County Board of Education that the district is operating at a "subsistence" level after several years of draws on fund balance and enrollment declines, and that Barnes will ask the board and county for targeted, outcome-tied funding for school safety and one additional school-based position per school.
Ben Horsley, superintendent of Granite School District, told a meeting transcript that the district serves about 58,000 students across 87 schools, warned of increased bullying tied to the current political climate, and asked families to contact school administrators or the district office if they need help.